Behavior Assistant (Student Services)

Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23 • Norristown, PA

23d • Onsite

About The Position

The Behavior Assistant works within the Office of Student Services and provides intensive behavioral support and supervision to K–12 and transition-age students who need targeted intervention. Support includes proactive and preventative strategies and responsive interventions for severe behaviors, including mental health crises and juvenile crimes. The role provides direct treatment to help students respond to their daily environments in practical and productive ways. Assignments may involve an individual student, a group, a special education classroom, or a combination, based on student and program needs.

This vacancy is in the Autistic Support Program at the Learning Academy in Norristown, Pennsylvania. The MCIU has classrooms throughout Montgomery County. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7–7.5 hours per day, for 10 months (194 days per year). Starting hourly rates are $27.85–$29.32 for candidates with a bachelor's degree and relevant experience, or $26.77–$28.18 for candidates with an associate's degree and relevant experience. A valid Pennsylvania Teaching Certification qualifies for an additional $1.00 per hour stipend.

Requirements

• Associate's degree, or 60 or more credit hours, in Psychology, Education, or a behavior- or mental-health-related field.
• At least one year of experience working with students with special needs, particularly students with autism and/or emotional disturbances, in a clinical or educational setting.
• Current Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification, or willingness to obtain RBT certification within six months of hire.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with students, staff, parents, and administrators.
• Ability to track and monitor student progress using prescribed processes.
• Ability to build positive mentoring relationships with students and serve as an appropriate role model.
• Ability to work as a team member, deal courteously and effectively with people, and work in an environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to cope with children's needs and behavior patterns and withstand emotional stress; a warm, friendly, helpful personality.
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Ability to complete Safety Cares and CPR/First Aid training.
• Ability to work independently, make work-related decisions, and exercise good judgment in interactions with students.
• Original certificates of clearance from the State Police, Child Abuse Registry, and PDE FBI.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree.
• Enrollment in a BCBA program.
• Strong behavior management skills and knowledge of applied behavior techniques.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with IEP teams to develop and implement functional behavior assessments, behavior intervention plans, crisis plans, positive behavior support plans, and behavior management strategies.
• Provide direct intervention and support to students with intensive behavioral needs using behavior strategies, positive reinforcement, social stories, peer support, and individualized techniques.
• Support students individually or in groups with instructional tasks and student goals to accommodate their development and growth.
• Implement and direct a behavioral model for program students.
• Use applied behavior analysis principles to reduce negative behaviors and promote positive replacement behaviors identified in student IEPs.
• Assist students with daily living tasks such as toileting, dressing, and mobility, and with physical transitions as needed.
• Communicate students' daily progress to teachers and other instructional team members.
• Use de-escalation and conflict-resolution techniques to manage student-student or student-staff conflicts.
• Collect and prepare data on behavior goals, interventions, observations, and incidents; enter daily data into designated systems.
• Provide instructional support by helping students remain engaged and on task, reinforcing taught skills, supporting test preparation and classwork or homework, organizing materials, and facilitating transitions.
• Work independently with students to reinforce and practice replacement behaviors and help generalize them to new learning environments.
• When not assigned to intensive behavioral support, may serve as a Teacher Assistant or Personal Care Assistant.
• Work cooperatively as a member of the classroom team.
• May transport and accompany students in the community to develop and reinforce social, recreational, and vocational skills in accordance with IEP goals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Administrator.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
• Health and wellness benefits, which may include medical, dental, prescription, vision, and life insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Participation in the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS).
• Paid time off benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree